For a successful project, the topic must be one that the researcher is interested in or finds in it a challenge through the complexity of the issues it raises. This is a time to explore attitudes toward the topic(s) assigned. Your task is to explore in depth one of the issues aligned to the literature studied this semester. This semester, our focus has been on the issues of colonization, imperialism, western expansion, cultural pluralism, and pre-industrialization. The time period for the most part encompasses 1850 - 1900. More importantly, we have looked at each of these movements in relationship to literature and to people (See Literary Movements Handout). Most importantly, is our ability to make connections with the events of these movements, the literature of the times, and the people who lived through them.

The Process:

To begin this study, use the KWL-H strategy to determine what you KNOW, what you WANT to learn, what you LEARN as you read, and HOW you can learn more. So your KWL-H chart might look like this:
 

What I Know about:	Want to Know	What I have learned	How I can learn more
Colonization
Imperialism
Western expansion
Cultural pluralism
Pre-industrialization

 

After each student has created and completed his/her KWL-H chart, we will break into five groups with each group focusing on one of the topics. Within the groups, members will compile their KWL-H charts, and then share them with the rest of the class. Students at their seats will create KWL-H charts--one for each topic -- and add information given by the groups to their KWL-H charts.

Due Dates: Individual KWL-H _11/4/99_ Group Work: In Class 11/4-11/5

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